Rosh HaNikra to Safed
Motorcyclist Map
Route Suggested By: Helio Diamant - https://diamant.org.il/blog
View In Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qx1nwb66gyoVik3H9
GPX Download: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tJW-FPLylg4LHpXDCoQ-If9Sqztv8kXl/view?usp=sharing
Description: We will come down from Rosh HaNikra and take Road 899 to the East. Road 899 (together with Road 89) is called in Israel "The Northern Road". It has been elected by some test-drive drivers and riders as one of the best roads in the world for sport driving/riding. After a small number of miles, we will see a sign pointing left at Adamit. We will turn left there to Road 8993, the "Old Northern Road". This was the original Northern Road, that ran side-by-side with the border fence with Lebanon. In 1937 the new Northern Road was paved, and since then it is the main route from East to West, while road 8993 stayed as an historical road. The first miles of this road that we will experience is an uphill serpentine road which is beautiful and can provide a great riding experience, and also beautiful views. Make sure you stop from time to time to photograph the view to the west (your back) and down. You will not be disappointed by the pictures. Our first stop will be at the Keshet Cave. The Keshet Cave is part of the Adamit Park, and is a giant round ring-shaped rock which both provides a magnificent view and is a rappelling site. From the Keshet Cave we will continue to Arab el-Aramshe, an arab village that is really upon the border fence with Lebanon, there are places from there (the most Northern spots) that can provide a beautiful view of Lebanon. After looking a little at our hostile neighbors from the North, we will continue our way East on Road 8993. We will pass inside the Bezet River reserve, a good place for a walk if you have time and will for that - there is a marked path in which you walk inside the river. But we will continue riding until we get to the Moshav Shtula, there we will find the "Talking Walls". These are a group of concrete blocks that were put there at the border for protecting the people of Shtula, which were later covered with street art and nearby a number of coffee trucks found a place to be. All this environment brought a lot of tourists, riders, drivers, families, for tourism there. At Sasa we leave the Old Northern Road and join again Road 899 (or road 89) and either go back to the West to return to Tel Aviv, or continue eastwards in the direction of Safed, a region where there are many options of hotels and Zimmers where we can sleep. There are other places that can be visited in this itinerary. All these places are included in the map above, for a free choice if you desire to visit them or not. Monfort Fortress - A stunning ancient fortress in the mountains - save around 1h30m for this site, there is some walking there. Galil Mountain Winery, in Iron - the largest winery in the region, is already an industrial winery with a visitation center. Visits take about 2 hours and include a tour through the production line and some wine tasting. Shabo Cheeses, in Rehannya - Rehannya is a Circassian village, and following the best Circassian tradition, they manufacture excellent cheeses and sell them, together with Circassian typical food. Upon previous reservation, it is possible to be received by the owners (mother and daughter-in-law) that run the place, receive an explanation of the Circassian culture and costumes. A very enjoyable visit that I have made myself. Adir Winery - a little after Rehannya, to your left, you will see the Adir winery. Despite the fact that it is a lot smaller than the Galil Mountain Winery, Adir Winery is also an excellent place to visit, do some wine tasting and eat something. They have a kind of restaurant there in which you can enjoy tasty food and excellent wine. Safed - we suggested the area for sleeping, but despite the fact that Safed is not in Western Galilee anymore, but rather in Upper Galilee, no visit to the area is complete without a walk in the old city of Safed. Don't miss it!
Admin Country: Israel